Start by creating a list of items needing attention. Go out to the curb and jot down anything that “leaps” out at you. Have a friend do the same thing  Add their list to your list. Trim trees and shrubs, clean out the flower beds, and invest in seasonal flowers. Mow and edge the lawn. 

Make your stoop say “welcome home” with a clean doormat, potted plants in bloom, and even a piece of neat porch furniture. Keep your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. Clean, repaint, or replace the front door and doorbell (use a toothbrush and toothpick.)

Clear all unnecessary objects and furniture throughout the house. Rearrange or remove some of the furniture and accessories from your home, if necessary.  When it comes to selling your home, thin out overcrowded rooms to make the rooms appear larger. Remove anything blocking doors or doorways.

When the buyers of your home walk in for the first time, the best thing they can smell is the scent of cleaning products. Hire professionals or go through the house yourself from top to bottom, washing floors and windows, scrubbing fixtures, eliminating cobwebs and dusting every inch of the home.

Strong odors can instantly kill a sale – especially strong pet odors. Remove cat litter boxes during showings. Avoid cooking anything with a strong scent during the markting period. Carpets and curtains hold odors so have them cleaned or replaced.

A fresh coat of paint in the key rooms like the living room, master bedroom and kitchen can go a long way. Pick something neutral and give the home a fresh look with new paint. Search the web for the current popular interior colors.

If it has been a while since you have replaced your towels and shower curtain, now is the time. Fluffy white towels show well. Box-up any extra items from your bathroom drawers and cabinets and tuck away anything you normally keep on the counter.

Each room should have a clearly defined purpose – what buyers might like to use it for. Whether you buy inexpensive furnishings, rent them, or borrow some from friends, making a real room out of a junk room will have a big payoff.

Sparkling clean windows let the light in.  A light, bright interior is one of the most important staging tips. Cut back shrubs to below the height of the bottom of the windows and tree limbs to the tops. Replace any broken glass or torn /missing screens.

Many people are allergic to or simply afraid of animals. Hampsters, birds, and even fish can put off a strong odor that can repel buyers. If possible, house your pets with family or friends until your home is under contract. Otherwise, take them away whenever you have a showing.

An exterior paint job might be out of the budget, but if there’s any peeling paint, hire someone to scrape and paint the peeling areas. There are some mortgage programs that require this to be done prior to closing. It’s also not a bad idea to powerwash the exterior so it looks fresh on the outside for potential buyers.

The dining room is often a blind spot in staging the home. Between dinners, a large dining table can look bare and uninviting, so styling it up with visitors in mind can increase the appeal. An oversize arrangement can look too stiff and formal, so try lining up a series of smaller vessels down the center of the table instead.

Strong political or artistic statements are not helpful. We do not want buyers to focus on these matters while viewing your house.

Large groups of family photos are distracting. It is hard for buyers to look past these and visualize themselves in your house.

Storage space is high on a buyer’s list. Many home-shoppers will open closet doors to discover how much storage there actually is. If your closets are full and cluttered, space will seem insufficient. Put all extra and non-essential items and clothing into storage.